Cathay

By Ezra Pound and Bai Li

Cathay is a compilation of traditional Chinese poems translated into English by poet Ezra Pound. These fifteen poems are seen less as strict translations and more as new pieces in their own right.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Good Press
• Release date: Nov 21, 2019
• ISBN: 4057664649300

Ezra Pound

Ezra Pound (1885–1972) is one of the most influential, and controversial, poets of the twentieth century. His poetry remains vital, challenging, contentious, unassimilable.

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Ezra Pound, Bai Li

Cathay

Published by Good Press, 2019

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EAN 4057664649300

Table of Contents

Cover

Titlepage

Text

Rihaku flourished in the eighth century of our era. The Anglo-Saxon Seafarer is of about this period. The other poems from the Chinese are earlier.

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Song of the Bowmen of Shu

Here we are, picking the first fern-shoots

And saying: When shall we get back to our country?

Here we are because we have the Ken-nin for our

foemen,

We have no comfort because of these Mongols.

We grub the soft fern-shoots,

When anyone says Return, the others are full of

sorrow.

Sorrowful minds, sorrow is strong, we are hungry

and thirsty.

Our defence is not yet made sure, no one can let

his friend return.

We grub the old fern-stalks.

We say: Will we be let to go back in October?

There is no ease in